2000-01-20 04:00:00 PDT San Francisco -- Flanked by a dozen bailiffs and police officers, Jack Bokin was sentenced yesterday to 231 years to life in prison for serial rape and attempted murder stemming from a string of attacks on prostitutes in San Francisco.

The 56-year-old Bokin bolted from a courtroom lockup Friday and was caught within minutes, prompting yesterday's beefed-up security. Bokin appeared placid as Superior Court Judge James Warren announced the sentence of 60 years to life and a separate 171-year term, then turned and stared at a cousin in the courtroom, Lora Lusher.

Elite runners start the first wave of Bay to Breakers 2018San Francisco Chronicle

Coyote trots around Golden Gate parkTed Andersen, SFGATE

"He gave me a look to kill," said Lusher, who sided with the prosecution in the case and said the entire family is relieved that Bokin will serve the rest of his life behind bars.

Bokin was convicted of 19 felony counts in October for kidnapping and sexually assaulting three women, and for trying to murder one of them. In addition to the prison term, the former plumbing contractor was fined $75,200, which will be paid to a victims' restitution fund.

Bokin's attorney, Michael Gaines, argued that Warren should impose a 140-year term, saying that more time would constitute "cruel and unusual punishment."

"The defense has requested a sentence here that is hardly a slap on the wrist," Gaines told the judge.

But Warren chose to impose a stiffer sentence, calling Bokin's attacks "about as chilling as any that have come before this court." The judge said Bokin preyed on the vulnerable in "egregious" crimes involving the "sadistic imposition of sexual will."

"The court finds there was a deliberate, well-thought out plan, a sophisticated attack on very insecure and weak people in society," Warren said.

He pointed to the testimony of Amber M., the Capp Street prostitute Bokin attacked Oct. 4, 1997, beating her with a blunt instrument until she feigned death. He then dumped her in the bay.

"The lurid description of sexual assaults, rapes, oral copulation, throwing bodies around, tying people up was simply very difficult to hear," Warren said.

Amber M. was asked in court how she could recount her ordeal without crying. Warren cited her response when she turned to Bokin and said: "The more I cried, the more it pleased you. I'll never cry in front of you again."

Warren found no mitigating circumstances in imposing the sentence. It is "quite clear Mr. Bokin will not be released from custody for the rest of his natural life," he said.

"Hopefully, that's the end of Jack Bokin and he'll spend the rest of his life behind bars, where he deserves to be," Hallinan said.

"This man should never be out on the street. This man is a danger to society, particularly to women."

The foreman of the jury, John Colton, was in court for the sentencing and said Bokin got what was coming to him.

"I'm glad to see justice is served," Colton said. "It was horrible what these women went through. He showed no compassion and he was getting a perverse pleasure out of it."

Lusher said prison authorities will have to keep a close eye on Bokin. "I wasn't a bit surprised when I heard about (his flight from court) last week," she said. "I think we're going to keep hearing about these escape attempts from prison."

Bokin apparently used a handmade handcuff key to free himself Friday, then overpowered a bailiff during a court break. He ran out onto a third-floor balcony before being tackled.

After Bokin was convicted in October, authorities searching his cell found a crude map of the courtroom, along with passport-type photos, literature about obtaining a German passport and a handmade handcuff key.

"I just couldn't believe after the judge told him what he was facing (last week) that they didn't stand guard within a foot of him," Lusher said. "It's amazing to me."

She said she was "happy and relieved" about the sentence. "We're so, so sorry for everybody who got hurt."